First Punic War

First Punic War (264-241 BCE): the first of three wars between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire, in which Rome conquered Sicily.

Sicily

According to the Greek historian Polybius of Megalopolis (c.200-c.118), the First Punic War (264-241) between Carthage and Rome had been "the longest and most severely contested war in history".note[Polybius, World History1.63.4-5.] And indeed, it lasted almost a quarter of a century and probably, a million people lost their lives.

In the end, Rome had conquered the island of Sicily, and had become a Mediterranean superpower, but to achieve victory, the Romans had been forced to reinvent themselves: they had learned to wage war at sea and had had to conduct protracted sieges.

Chronology

265

Q. Fabius Q.f. Maximus Gurges
L. Mamilius Q.f. Vitulus

Hiero defeats the Mamertines at the Longanus
Mamertines appeal to the Carthaginians and then to Rome
Alliance between Hiero and Carthage

Metellus continues with siege of Lilybaeum
Buteo continues with siege of Drepana, where he captures the island of PeliasHamilcar Barca arrives in Sicily and raids Bruttium

246

M'. Otacilius C.f. Crassus II
M. Fabius C.f. Licinus

Siege of Lilybaeum and Drepana continued
Skirmishing around Heirkte

245

M. Fabius M.f Buteo
C. Atilius A.f. Bulbus

Siege of Lilybaeum and Drepana continued
Skirmishing around Heirkte

244

A. Manlius T.f. Torquatus Atticus
C. Sembronius Ti.f. Blaesus II

Siege of Lilybaeum and Drepana continued
Skirmishing around Heirkte

243

C. Fundanius C.f. Fundulus
C. Sulpicius C.f. Galus

Siege of Lilybaeum and Drepana continued
Hamilcar moves to Eryx
Continued skirmishing

242

C. Lutatius C.f. Catulus
A. Postumius A.f. Albinus

Catulus sent to Sicily in command of new fleet
He is wounded at Drepana

241

A. Manlius T.f. Torquatus Atticus II
Q. Lutatius C.f. Cerco

Lutatius Catulus defeats Hanno in the battle of Aegates Islands (10 March), and with his brother, Lutatius Cerco, negotiates peace with Gesco; Sicily become's the first Roman province, governed by a praetor